What is a request to submit offers or quotations to the government?

The correct choice is indeed the term "Solicitation." In the context of government contracting, a solicitation refers to a formal request issued by the government to invite offers or bids from vendors or contractors to fulfill specific requirements. This process is essential for ensuring competitive pricing and obtaining the best value for public funds.

A solicitation outlines the details of the contract, including the scope of work, evaluation criteria, and submission guidelines. It is the starting point for the procurement process, where interested parties prepare and submit their proposals or quotations in response to the government's request. Understanding the concept of solicitation is fundamental for anyone involved in government contracting, as it sets the stage for the entire procurement transaction.

Other terms like "Proposal" and "Application" pertain to the documents prepared and submitted by contractors, but they do not encapsulate the process of inviting those proposals. "Authentication" is unrelated to the bidding or proposal process and typically refers to verifying the identity or validity of information.